[wp-trac] [WordPress Trac] #51043: PHP: bump minimum version requirements

[WordPress Trac]

#51043: PHP: bump minimum version requirements
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 Reporter:  jrf              |       Owner:  (none)
     Type:  task (blessed)   |      Status:  closed
 Priority:  high             |   Milestone:
Component:  General          |     Version:
 Severity:  normal           |  Resolution:  maybelater
 Keywords:  has-patch early  |     Focuses:
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Changes (by matt):

 * status:  new => closed
 * resolution:   => maybelater
 * milestone:  5.6 =>


Comment:

 Just so we don't cherry-pick stats to make a point, it's worth noting that
 the PHP distribution across all WP sites we track is the same as when that
 post was made in 2018: 85% are 5.6 or above. Only about 66% are 7.1 and
 above.

 We also need to work on our messaging around these PHP and core upgrades,
 so we don't cry wolf and cause these notices to be ignored. They do not
 say what version it is currently on. They do not provide a good way to
 contact the host. They do not give accurate information about security, as
 most hosts run backports that patch security on older versions separate
 from what is officially supported by the core PHP project. These are not
 free upgrades, and I think the cost vs what we are able to deliver to
 users, vs the hard caused by leaving so many people behind, needs to be
 seriously weighed. Right now it feels like we're a bit trigger happy on
 these requirements, and I'd even be open to rolling some back.

 Going to close for now, on other P2s or it would be great to continue the
 discussion on the 21% of sites on 5.6 or below and what we could do to
 help get them upgraded before moving the finish line again.

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Ticket URL: <https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/51043#comment:7>
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